Sigi Schmid will return as head coach of Sounders FC next season

Sounders FC ownership ultimately didn’t need a couple weeks to decide on their head coach. They already have their guy.

A statement from majority owner Joe Roth on Thursday announced that Seattle will be retaining Sigi Schmid for next season:

“Adrian Hanauer and I met to review all team aspects of the organization. After a thorough evaluation, there is no question that Sigi Schmid is the right man to lead our club. While we are not happy with the way we finished, Sigi’s resume and accomplishments speak for themselves. We have been to the playoffs five-straight years, one of just three teams to have done that. Once you make the tournament you give yourself a chance to win the MLS Cup. Sigi has won two MLS Cups and it won’t be long before he does it here in Seattle. We continue to strive for excellence and we will do everything we can and give him all the resources possible to make that a reality.”

General manager and part owner Adrian Hanauer held a conference call Monday, explaining then that he and Roth would sit down with Schmid this week to make sure everyone was on the same page philosophically and that there was mutual support and appreciation on both sides.

Schmid had said after a season-ending loss in Portland last week that he wanted to return: “My desire is to return. I don’t want to walk away. I know there are probably people out there that would like me to walk away. The press, you guys like that. … At the end of the day my job security is really in the hands of (ownership).”